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January 10, 2023��
Story by Maggie Harris

New business owners or those wanting to start a business can learn about key components of running a business from area experts on a variety of topics at ������������’s “On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow Your Business” seminar from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings from Feb. 9 to March 30 at the Front Door Community Center.����

Presenters will cover the following topics:��

• Management and Company Culture: Mark Mingenback, Business Consultant and Sally Mauler, The Buckle��
• Human Resources: Brenda Kaiser, ������������ County, Lynda Jamison and Sam Jacobs, Adams Brown, LLC��
• Financial Resources: Paul Snapp, First Kansas Bank and Sara Hayden, Great Bend Economic Development��
• Legal Considerations and Accounting: Molly Bailly and Taylor Calcara, Watkins Calcara and Barry Bowers, Spectrum Partners��
• Buying and Leasing Property: Kim Vink and Glenna Achatz, Coldwell Banker��
• Creating Vision for Your New Business and Effectively Marketing it to Potential Customers: Rachel Mawhirter, Marketing Maven��
• Q & A with Panel of Small Business Owners��

Registration for the seminar is $300 for all seven sessions and includes sessions, meals and training materials.����

This event is being held alongside Great Bend Economic Development’s new entrepreneurship competition, IGNITE Rural Business. Great Bend Economic Development Communications Director Lee Ann June said this competition exists to empower, support and cultivate entrepreneurs. New business and startups are encouraged to apply for a chance to win up to $50,000 to assist with business expenses.����

“One of our missions is to grow ������������ County, and the IGNITE Rural Business Competition is one way we are adding value to our community,” she said. “Partnerships with organizations like ������������ help us further that mission, and interactive seminars like this will exponentially help IGNITE contestants and those taking this seminar series."��

June said those interested in joining the IGNITE competition should keep in mind they are giving away serious prize money. For a complete list of rules and guidelines for the IGNITE Rural Business competition visit .��

For more information, contact ������������ Industry and Partnership Manager Krystall Barnes at barnesk@bartonccc.edu��or (620) 792-9332.

The “On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow Your Business” seminar is sponsored by The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Great Bend Economic Development, Marketing Maven, ������������ and the ������������ Foundation.��